Page 89 of Bobby

“Pair of kings. That always wins.”

I nod, even if I think what he said is wrong, and look out the window. Bobby and the rest of those going left an hour ago. I might be lost in my thoughts, but I know the exact time he left. I’m counting the minutes without even trying.

“You know how to play solitaire?” The guy shuffles his cards.

“I’m not really in the mood to play.”

“It’s fine. You can be on my team.”

This has me looking back at him, confusion clear on my face. “Isn’t that a game for one person?”

He shrugs and starts placing down cards. I watch him play for a while, and when he doesn’t see something, I point it out. It isn’t a big thing, but the smile on his face makes me question if I solved the greatest mystery in his life.

“What’s your name?”

“Mason. Yours?”

“Um, Willow.” Did he really not know?

Wait, is he safe to be alone with? Something about the way he acts makes me jittery now that I’m watching him. He isn’t very large in size or muscles, but his slender form gives me the impression that he’s a snake ready to strike. And it has nothing to do with the countless scars I see on his hands, his upper lip, and one that seems to be slashed from the top of his pierced eyebrow to just below his eye. And his eyes? Two different colors. One is blue, the other brown.

I may not be able to see any weapons, but I know he has something on him. Everyone on this plane does. Everyone but me. I’m not scared of weapons, just never had a need for them.

Until now. Now I can’t stop seeing all the ways they can be used.

“Don’t.”

“Huh?”

“You were about to get up. Don’t.” He doesn’t even look up from playing his game as he speaks.

“I… I wasn’t.”

He snorts. “Yeah, you were.” He looks up at me with a serious expression on his face. “I can read minds.”

I feel my eyes widen but say nothing. The way he says it, I half believe him already.

“It’s a gift. Or a curse, depending on how you look at it.” He looks back down at his cards and starts again.

“Why don’t you want me to get up?”

He shrugs. “I get lonely. Also, Liam says I’m not allowed to leave your side. Where you go, I go. And the guys outside are dicks and don’t know how to take a joke.”

“What joke?”

“I asked if they wanted to play catch.”

“How is that a joke?”

“It was with this.” He moves to the side and pulls something out of a side pocket. I move as far back in my chair as I’m allowed when he sets it on the table.

“Th-that’s a grenade.”

He shrugs. “It’s a dud.”

I unexpectedly huff out a laugh.

His eyes light up with mischief and glee. “See, you get it.”